Ontario Co. News Articles

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Canandaigua News

1863 - 1869

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Ontario Republican Times, Canandaigua, NY   Wednesday,    March 18, 1863      by:  Dianne Thomas

DIED - In this village, on Sunday evening, the 15th instant, William Slocum BURLING, in the 86th year of his age.  His four score years and more sat lightly on him for his heart was glad e'en to the latest pulse, with those kind thoughts home-nurtured and reciprocal, which guard and garner treasures in this changing life. 

Our revered neighbor and friend, so well known in this community, was from his early manhood, a member of the Society of Friends.  He was born in the county of Orange on the 12thf day of July 1777, his parents being refugees from the city of New York, when the British took possession of it.  This memory cherished participation in events which have now become matters of history.  He could recall with distinctness the evacuation of New York by the English army in 1783.  He was a spectator at the inauguration of General Washington in 1789 and often spoke with animation, of seeing him, with Thomas Jefferson and General Knox, at his father's place of business.

He witnessed the earliest attempt at steam navigation on the Hudson river in 1807; and aided in the establishment of the first free school in the city of New York.

Ever honored be his name for thus putting forth that beneficent agency which has doubtless made so many minds available for great and good purposes, which would otherwise have been enshrouded in ignorance, perchance in vice.

The peculiar sensitiveness of our departed friend, in regard to all memorial eulogium, restrains us from the expression of our feelings, in regard to his place among us; but not soon will be forgotten, the light step, the animated aspect, the cheerful greeting, which gave no token of the frosts of age, nor the chilling influence of a world, which so rarely teaches us Charity; for his heart was ever full of her blossoms, his life, of her fruits. 

The funeral will take place on Thursday morning at half past 9, at his home on Gibson street, from whence, the remains will be taken to Farmington, for a second service, at Friends Meeting House.  

Ontario Republican Times, Canandaigua, NY     Wednesday    April 1,  1863              Dianne Thomas

+  Who Wants a Farm - The well known BURLING farm, one mile north east of this village, is to be sold at Auction on the 11th of April.  It is a very desirable and valuable piece of property.

+  A Valuable Farm for Sale at Auction - The subscriber will sell at public auction on Saturday, April 11, 1863 at 2 pm on the premises, a valuable Farm containing 100 Acres of Choice Land, lying about one mile northeast of the village of Canandaigua, NY and known as the BURLING Farm, adjoining the Farm of John B. BROCKLEBANK.  Said Farm is well located and under a high state of cultivation; well watered, has living water upon it, about 15 Acres of Good timer (beech and maple).  Over 100 bearing Apple Trees, all grafted fruit of the choicest kinds.  The Buildings are good and in good order; the farm well fenced, the fence along the highway being a good board fence with cedar posts.  Such an opportunity is not often offered for investment.  Terms easy - made know on the day of Sale.  William H. SMITH, Agent.     H. C. SWIFT  Auctioneer  Dated Apr 1, 1863 Canandaigua.  

+  Postponed - The sale advertised to take place on the premises of Nelson BEEMAN, in South Bristol, on the 7th instant, has been postponed to the next day.

+  Post Office Change - We are informed that Samuel N. PRENTISS ahs been appointed Post Master at Shortsville, to succeeda former incumbent who had resigned.  

Ontario Republican Times, Canandaigua, NY      Wednesday June 17, 1863        by: Dianne Thomas   

Court Doings - The Court of Sessions for the County was opened Monday, June 15, at 2 pm.  The first case tried was against Robert B. WIGGINS, for assault and battery on Bayzee W. BAKER at West Bloomfield.  The defence was a former conviction before a Justice of the Peace, before whom he had been brought and tried in the absence of and without the knowledge of the injured party, and sentenced to pay $5 fine.  These proceedings were contested by the prosecution, who charged them to be the result of a fraudulent collusion to save the defendant from being indicted and properly punished.  The case was give to the jury Tuesday morning.  Verdict for the defendant.

The next case was against George DAVIS of Canandaigua, for embezzling abut 3,000 pounds of ice from his employer, Mr. G. R. FOX, of this place, last summer. This was a mixed affair; and several veteran litigants who figure frequently in the courts as witnesses or parties, were sworn to support a friend's or damage an enemy's character for truth and honesty.  The jury found the prisoner guilty and he was fine $10.

Gilbert VAN HORN pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place, and was fined $15.

Ontario Republican Times, Canandaigua, Wed,   July 22, 1863,   Pg 3, col 2    by: Dianne Thomas

In this village on Wednesday morning, the 8th instant, by Rev. A. H. LUNG, James B. CHAMBERLAIN of Canandaigua to Miss Alwida E. PRATT of Manchester.

In this village, on Thursday, the 15th instant, by the same, George PROUDFIT of Jackson, MI, to Maggie M. HERENDEEN of Canandaigua. 

Deaths:  On the 17th of May, 1863, Prudence, the beloved wife of Orra SPENCER, Esq., of Canadice, in the 70th years of her age.  They were amongst the early settlers of Canadice and for 47 years had traveled the journey of life together.  Aunt Prudy will be long remembered for her many social virtues and her sympathies were ever enlisted in every good work.

  Ontario Republican Times, Canandaigua, NY     Wed,       Aug  26, 1863    by: Dianne Thomas

DIED: 

TICHNER - On the 17th instant, at his residence on the lake shore, about five miles from this village, Mr. Isaac M. TICHNER, in the 76ht years of his age.  His illness was brief, but for the last few days very distressing.  Having for many years lived a most exemplary christian life, his death was truly peaceful - as the christian can only die.  He seemed to be just as well prepared to close up his earthly life and enter upon scenes of the future state, as if he had been long anticipating the hour of his decease.  The funeral services were held at the Methodist church un this village, and were numerously attended by all classes of the community.  He first united with the Methodist Episcopal church in Newark, NJ, where he was very useful and very highly esteemed.  On coming to this vicinity, about 30 years ago, he transferred his membership to the M.E. Church in this village, and remained a most reliable, useful and esteemed member until the day of his death.  He was an industrious, liberal, kind-hearted, upright many, universally respected and loved by all who knew him.  A large family consisting of the widow, one son and several daughters, with other relations, are left to mourn his sudden departure.

WOOD - In West Bloomfield, August 6, 1863, of diphtheria, Josephine M., youngest daughter of Carlton WOOD, Esq., aged 17 years.  Seldom it becomes the lot of mortal hand to chronicle the death of one so pure and gentle as she, whose soul has thus suddenly taken its flight to realms of the blest.  Her life was one continuous path toward the haven she has now reached and shone a bright example of "the pure in heart", to whom the Lord has promised that "they shall see God".  Reared amid a large circle of brothers and sisters, beneath the fostering cared of a doting father and hopeful mother, who has already passed on before, she, year by year, grew to be the center where all hearts tended in loving rivalry, each striving, forgetful of self, to minister to her comfort.

Her beautiful face ever had a ready smile to gladden the heart, bet it ever so lowly, and a kind word to give or a teat to shed that might health the afflicted breast.  Through all the trials and vexatious of every day life, or the weary pangs of fatal disease, none ever heard her sweet voice, utter one word of complaint, but as if she had already been enrolled with the angel band above, so she lived, and so she died, a model of Christian meekness and grace.  As a blessed assurance to the stricken ones left behind, her sister angels descended from heaven and soothed her dying pillow, and the mother's loved presence and radiant wings blent themselves  with her last dreams and beckoned on the dying one to the abode of her Savior.  Calmly as an infant drops in its peaceful slumber, with a sigh, she sank to her immortal rest, and as the heartbroken sobs of the loves ones on earth died upon her ear, she was welcomed by joyful acclamations to the Paradise of God.

Runaway - A most terrific runaway occurred in this place yesterday morning.  It appears that a hackman names Edward ROWLEY was conveying some ladies form the residence of Jacob CORSON, Esq., on Bristol street to the depot to take the cars going east at 6 o'clock, and when approaching the station, his horses took fright at something, wheeled suddenly around, throwing him form his seat and clashed down street at the top of their speed.  They kept near the walk on the east side, and when opposite the Baptist Church struck a gas post and a few rots below run in between a couple of hitching posts and were brought to a stand.  Fortunately, none of the young ladies were seriously injured, though they were dashed violently about inside the hack, and received some ugly bruises.  The driver was less fortunate, having been thrown forward so that the wheels of the hack passed directly over him.  He was badly, though we believe not dangerously hurt, and had no bones broken.  The carriage was reduced to a shapeless wreck.

Ontario Republican Times, Canandaigua, NY     Wed,       Sept 30, 1863    by: Dianne Thomas

+  John MORRISSSEY was a guest at Wright's American House, Troy, last Tuesday night.  He put a package of $7,000 in bills under his pillow and in the morning went of without thinking of it.  The chambermaid, on making her usual rounds discovered the treasure.  She took it down and reported the case at the office of the hotel.  The clerk locked it up and notified Mr. M. of its whereabouts.  The latter expressed his thanks in words, and by handing over to the sensible and honest chambermaid, a $50 bill.

+  Notice to Creditors: Notice of application for the discharged provisions of the third article of the first part, the fifth chapter of the second part of the ___ statures, Daniel G. BARBER, of Manchester, Ontario Co., NY, insolvent.  Notice first published September 28th, 1863.  Creditors to appear before Hon. Geo. B. ___BERRE, county judge of Ontario Co, NY, office in Geneva, in said county on the  ___ day of November 1863 at 1 o'clock PM to give cause, if any they have, why an assignment should not be made of said insolvents estate, he be discharged from his debts.  Dated September 28, 1863   Jacob S. SPAUN, Att'y for Insolvent, Clifton Springs, NY

+ DIED - At the Hudson Bay Company's station at North West River, Esquimuux Bay, Labrador, on Wednesday, August 19, 1863, aged 50 years, the Rev. Wellington H. TYLER, former Principal of the Pittsfield Mass., Young Ladies Institute, and late of the Cincinnati Female Seminary, brother of Professor E. G. TYLER of this village.

Ontario Co. Times, Canandaigua, NY     Wednesday,   March 2, 1864            by: Dianne Thomas 

SUICIDE - A man named Richard A. DONALDSON, a resident of Newark, NJ, came to this place on Friday morning of last week from Elmira, and about the middle of the afternoon, took a room at the Niagara Falls House, saying he should want it only for an hour.  He remained there however, overnight and about 3 pm the next day, was found dead in his room.  An inquest was held by Coroner ROGERS and from the testimony it was ascertained that the deceased, previous to his appearance at the hotel above named, (cut off)

FIRE - The barns of Mr. George C. P. TEALL, who resides near Seneca Castle in this town, were totally destroyed by fire last Sunday evening, together with their contents, principally hay and tobacco, valued at $1,600.  There was no insurance on the property.  A lad named John LOCKWOOD, who resides with Mr. TEALL, was suspected of firing the barns and he was arrested and brought before Justice WHITWELL.  During a conversation with John E. BEAN, Esq., he owned up to setting the barns on fire, stating at the same time that he had nothing against Mr. TEALL, but he had gotten mad at his mother, (who resides in Geneva) and during his fit of anger he had committed the crime.  This is the second time Mr. TEALL has had his barns destroyed with fire within a few years.  

Ontario Co. Times, Canandaigua, NY,  Wednesday   Dec 9, 1863,   pg 3      by: Dianne Thomas

At the residence of his father's in Hopewell, on the 21st of November ult., of consumption, Andrew Smith PRATT, son of Dr. Jonathan and Julia A. PRATT, aged 31 years.

Seldom does the mission of death call from among us, one whose hopes and prospects for the future were brighter than were those of our young friend who has so suddenly departed; and seldom do relatives and friends feel more keenly the lose of one from their midst.

But such are the decrees of that all seeing Power, who governs and controls all for the best, and we submit without a murmur, as did he, who has thus left us, when it became apparent to him that his pilgrimage here was nearly ended and that he must relinquish those bright hopes and anticipations, which he had so fondly cherished.

From his earliest years he had applied himself to study, and was a thorough and finished scholar.  For the last three years of his life he had been preparing himself for the profession of Law, and when attacked with his last sickness, was fully prepared for admission to the bar.

Eminently upright and just in his dealings with men, and scorning all mean and low associations, he stood firm amidst the temptations that surrounded him and maintained to the tend his integrity, and went down to his early grave with ah character unsullied and unblemished.

In his sentiments he was a strong and ardent supporter of the administration and the Government, and but for the frailty of his constitution, he would long ago have enrolled himself among the brave defenders of his country and would have willingly given his life, in her cause to maintain those "inalienable rights" , which he held so sacred.

As a friend and companion, he was genial, generous and obliging.  As a citizen he was liberal and philanthropic.  Those who knew him best, most deeply feel his loss, and his memory will be cherished by those who had tested his sterling qualities, until he who called him thus early away, shall also call us to follow to " That undiscovered country from whose bourn, no traveler returns."

Canandaigua, Dec, 1863.

Ontario Co. Times, Canandaigua, NY   Wednesday, May 3, 1865               by: Dianne Thomas

BOOTH - The Assassin - The Buffalo Express  relates the following incident:   It will be remembered by most of our readers, that some three years ago, one of the large plate glass windows of  O. E. Sibley's jewelry store, in which were exhibited a lot of rebel trophies, swords, pistols, pikes, etc., was shivered to atoms one night by some miscreant whose name was unknown.  We learn now that the perpetrator of the malicious act was J. Wilkes BOOTH, the assassin of President LINCOLN, who was then playing an engagement at the Theatre in this city.  The sight of the trophies excited his rebel rage, and he vented it upon the window.  The scoundrel was arrested, settled the damage done, paid a fine of fifty dollars, and the thing was hushed up in some manner, so as to be kept out of the newspapers.  This incident illustrates the violence of the rebellious devils by which he was possessed. 

Repository and Messenger,     Wed,        July 4, 1866                by: Dianne Thomas

Court of Special Sessions - J. Hinman SMITH, Justice

+ June  27th, George LINN was found laying drunk on the sidewalk, and was sent to jail ten days in default of paying the legal fine.

+ 28th, James DOLAN was convicted of being intoxicated in a public place, and it begin the first offence the execution of the law was suspended till further violation.  

+ 28th, James YOUNG was convicted of assault and battery on his wife.  This was a very agravated case.  He was fined $15, to stand committed in Jail till the fine be paid and requited to give sureties for his good behavior generally, and particularly towards his wife. 

+ 29th, Patrick BARRY was arrested for making a disturbance and for a breach of the Peace.  The disturbance consisted principally in his demolishing his own house and furniture.  It appearing that he was laboring under an attack of "mania-a-potu", he was discharged.

Union & Advertiser, Rochester, NY    Sat            Aug 24, 1867            by: GSubyak@aol.com     

DIED  -  In Canandaigua, August 22, 1867, of consumption, Mrs. Catharine Cornelia STOKES, eldest daughter of Egbert B. and Irene Y. ROBINS, aged 10 years and 2 months.  All friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral on Sunday, at 2 
o'clock, from the residence of her parents, 28 North Chatham street.

Ontario Repository & Messenger, Canandaigua, NY    Wednesday,    April 14, 1869     by: Dianne Thomas

Blind Tom - This wonderful negro boy, who has attracted so much attention throughout the country, by his rare musical gifts, is announced for a Concert at Bemis Hall tomorrow evening. He plays the most difficult operatic pieces, not only brilliantly and beautifully, but with all the taste, expression and feeling of the most cultivated artists.  He is truly a wonder and should be greeted by a full house. 

Auctions:

A public sale of valuable household goods will take place at the residence of Mrs. A. W. HOLBERTON, on Howell street, next Tuesday, April 20th.  The household furniture and goods are very desirable, being of the latest styles, best quality and in perfect order.

Also Messrs. L. B. & W. P. GUNN will sell at public auction nest Saturday, April 17th, at the Canandaigua Hotel stables, on Jail street, a fine lot of horses, hogs, wagons farming tools household goods, etc.

Ontario Repository & Messenger, Wed, July 28, 1869    Pg 3, col 2  

Terrible Accident At Oaks Corners -  On Saturday last, a young man named HAMILTON at work on the farm of Mr. DILLINGHAM, at Oaks Corners, met with a painful and severe accident while at work in a field, with a mowing machine.  The teeth of the mower became clogged and HAMILTON stopped the horses and dismounted from the machine to remove the bunches of grass.  While he was engaged, one of the lines became caught over the end of the tongue.  He did not discover this until he had started the horses again.  Then he attempted to disengage the rein, when the horses started on a run.  HAMILTON was thrown to the ground, between the horses and the mower, and was dragged along some forty or fifty rods.  The teeth of the mower came in contact with his left arm and shoulder, inflicting terrible wounds and two of the fingers of his right hand were cut off.  He succeeded with great difficulty in crawling out of the field, fainting several times on the way.  He was cared for by Dr. POTTER of this place, who found it necessary to amputate his arm within an inch of the shoulder joint.  The operation was performed in a very skillful manner and Dr. POTTER says that if the wound had been a quarter of an inch higher, the would have inevitably bled to death.  HAMILTON has a wife and child who depend on him for support. 

Rochester Daily Democrat, Rochester, NY   Dec. 23, 1869    Pg 4       by: GSubyak@aol.com     

Ira LAPHAM of Macedon.

Ira Lapham was born in 1778, at North Adams, Mass. His father's name was Abraham Lapham, and his mother's maiden name Esther Aldrich, a sister to Brice Aldrich, who came into this country about the same time. His grandfather's name, on his father's side, was Joshua Lapham, and on his mother's side Peter Aldrich. His predecessors were of Scotch, Welch and English decent. Immigrating to this country about the first of the seventeenth century. 

So far as he now remembers, his ancestors were members of the Society of Friends. When he was thirteen years old his father removed with his family from North Adams, MA,  in company with several others to this part of the country. They crossed the river at Troy, which was then a small, insignificant village, taking nearly a direct route through the forest to about four miles of where Utica now stands and stopped at Nathan Smith's, formerly of North Adams, MA. Not a house then stood where the beautiful and thriving city of Utica now stands. They stopped at Smith's to rest a little and while there they baked up a quantity of bread and prepared meats, &c., for the further journey into the then deep wilderness.
Ira, then but thirteen years old, footed it all the way from North Adams, MA to this point, driving sheep and cattle behind Henry Wilbur's team, it being in mid-winter. At this point his father insisted on his riding the rest of the way, which was reluctantly acceded to. They passed through the country where Auburn now stands, and where there was not a single house, if his
memory serves him right crossing Cayuga lake on the ice near where the "old bridge" stood so long. They followed the trail which afterwards became the great "turnpike," until they reached Canandaigua, where there was then just one stone house owned by old Gen. Chapin. 

His father purchased about one thousand acres of land in this section (Farmington) at 18 pence per acre. Their first "stopping place" was about four miles north of Canandaigua. For the first two nights they had no protection but their blankets. During that
time they threw up a shelter of round logs, covering it with brush. They then built a house by splitting basswood logs and set them up edgeways, dovetailing the ends together and putting poles across the top and over them spreading elm bark. Immediately the forest resounded with their axes, and Ira, then in his fourteenth year, having a small axe of his own, commenced clearing the land. He was properly the only "pioneer" of his father's children, the others who were then born being younger than himself, and
following him in age as the names show, David, Daniel, Lydia, Stephen and John - the last two years old. Those born after they came into the country and among the first births were Esther and Wm. Savory. Lydia afterwards married Jonathan Ramsdell, a well-known minister of the Society of Friends, both deceased, and Esther, who is deceased, Thomas Hance, who is still living
with son, Abram Hance, at Macedon Centre. The first birth in this section of the country was Jacob Gannet.
Among those who came into this settlement about the same time or followed soon after, were Nathan Comstock, Nathan Aldrich, John Macomber, Jeremiah Smith, Joshua Herendeen, Jacob, Joseph and Jeremiah Smith, Israel Delnoe, Nathan and Welcome Herendeen and Henry Wilbur - all Friends, with but one or two exceptions. One company followed just one day behind, the
remark of one of them being, "We'll follow just one day, and when they build the fires in the morning we'll have them at night;" probably well thought of, as a bed of coals came very acceptable then. Little do we know of the hardships that those old settlers endured, and the trying times they passed through to bring up their families. -  Could their children and their children's children, who are now thickly scattered through this part of the country, but pass through but a year or two of their trying times, they, might the more fully realize the comforts and blessings they now enjoy.
Many a property that was then earned by patient hard work has since then squandered foolishly away. They did not know how it had come. They thought there was no bottom, to the purse. When, lo! it vanished like the mist before the rising sun. Will not some of our "Grecian benders" or "fast" young men take the warning? More anon. [Palmyra Courier, Dec. 3].

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